The Effect of Toothpastes Containing Natural Extracts on Bacterial Species of a Microcosm Biofilm and on Enamel Caries Development

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of herbal toothpaste on bacterial counts and enamel demineralization. Thirty-six bovine enamel samples were exposed to a microcosm biofilm using human saliva and McBain saliva (0.2% sucrose) for 5 days at 37 °C and first incubated anaerobically, then aerobically–capnophilically. The following experimental toothpaste slurries (2 × 2 min/day) were applied: (1) Vochysia tucanorum (10 mg/g); (2) Myrcia bella (5 mg/g); (3) Matricaria chamomilla (80 mg/g); (4) Myrrha and propolis toothpaste (commercial); (5) fluoride (F) and triclosan (1450 ppm F), 0.3% triclosan and sorbitol (Colgate®, positive control); (6) placebo (negative control). The pH of the medium was measured, bacteria were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and enamel demineralization was quantified using transverse microradiography. The total bacterial count was reduced by toothpaste containing Myrcia bella, Matricaria chamomilla, fluoride, and triclosan (commercial) compared to the placebo. As far as assessable, Myrcia bella, Matricaria chamomilla, and Myrrha and propolis (commercial) inhibited the outgrowth of S. mutans, while Lactobacillus spp. were reduced/eliminated by all toothpastes except Vochysia tucanorum. Mineral loss and lesion depth were significantly reduced by all toothpastes (total: 1423.6 ± 115.2 vol% × μm; 57.3 ± 9.8 μm) compared to the placebo (2420.0 ± 626.0 vol% × μm; 108.9 ± 21.17 μm). Herbal toothpastes were able to reduce enamel demineralization.

In Vitro Study on Green Propolis as a Potential Ingredient of Oral Health Care Products

“…Less bacteria in the reformed biofilm were counted, and less surface microhardness loss was measured after brushing enamel specimens with the toothpaste supplemented with EEPg once per day over 14 days. This confirms another in vitro study where an herbal-propolis toothpaste prevented mineral loss [ 26 ].…”

“…The initial retarding of biofilm formation might be of more clinical relevance than the result after 24 h, as tooth brushing twice per day is generally recommended [ 38 ]. Comparable studies cultured the biofilms for several days and applied in intervals the propolis toothbrush slurries [ 26 , 39 ]. In one study, propolis-containing toothpaste reduced more bacterial counts than one without active ingredients but less than one containing triclosan; the detailed analysis showed a suppression of S. mutans by the propolis toothpaste [ 26 ].…”

“…Comparable studies cultured the biofilms for several days and applied in intervals the propolis toothbrush slurries [ 26 , 39 ]. In one study, propolis-containing toothpaste reduced more bacterial counts than one without active ingredients but less than one containing triclosan; the detailed analysis showed a suppression of S. mutans by the propolis toothpaste [ 26 ]. In the other study, bacterial counts in biofilms were similarly reduced, irrespective of whether the toothpaste contained propolis, chlorhexidine digluconate or no active antimicrobial [ 39 ].…”

“…A few toothpastes with propolis as an active ingredient are already commercially available. They have been tested in vitro [ 26 , 39 ] or in clinical trials [ 41 , 42 ]. A toothpaste with Polish propolis has been proven to be effective in the gingivitis prevention of patients with oral clefts [ 41 ].…”

Natural products from traditional medicine as promising agents targeting at different stages of oral biofilm development

“…and Matricaria chamomilla L. in the toothpastes reduced the bacterial number in the microcosm biofilms. The enamel demineralization assay revealed that Vochysia tucanorum, Myrcia bella, Matricaria chamomilla, and Myrrha & propolis toothpastes reduced mineral loss and lesion depth compared with the placebo group (Braga et al, 2022). Another study demonstrated that natural products (including Commiphora myrrha resin extract, propolis extract) in the commercial toothpastes reduced microcosm biofilm viability and increased mineral loss (Braga et al, 2019).…”